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Appendix D: Scout Tips, Games, and Exercises
That said, it is very important to note that BEFORE BEGINNING ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM, YOU SHOULD CONSULT A PHYSICIAN. The SCA, the Kingdom of Ealdormere, its officers, members, or anyone else even remotely connected to any of the above neither endorse nor recommend such programs. The information presented here is here purely as a general note and nothing more.
Scouting is a very active job. You’re often running to and fro under not-so-ideal conditions, in not-always-so-familiar environments. Thus, it’s not likely a really bad idea to make sure you’re in reasonable shape to handle all that activity. No one needs to be an Olympian to be a scout, but being flexible and in good cardiovascular health can make it both easier and more enjoyable. Thus, a good regimen of stretching and flexibility exercises might be undertaken to enhance performance and reduce the likelihood of severe injuries. Low-impact aerobics, swimming, cycling and similar programs are widely considered ideal for this purpose. Additionally, they can build muscle tone and endurance. Some may even chose to practice “cross country” running such as what you might encounter in a woods battle. After all, the more familiar and accustomed you are with that sort of activity, the less likely you are to injure yourself. (Risk of injury, even with good health and exercise, can never be fully eliminated.)
Scouts need to practice all the skills they need to develop to be good at what they do. The best way to learn anything is to practice it. This includes things like learning how to use cover and natural camouflage, practicing observational skills and learning both local and foreign heraldry. (It can be immensely helpful to know what the badges or devices of the enemy commanders and units look like.) Some scouts have made up a “war book” illustrating the devices and badges of prominent enemy units. It’s something they carry in their kit and review regularly.
If maps of a battlefield are available, it can help both you and your commander if you study the terrain in which you will be working. Ultimately, though, experience is far better than any map. Maps aren’t always right.
Get used to working with partners, especially if you plan on working together at the war. The more familiar you are with each other, the easier it will be to work as a team. (If you do use a partner, choose a partner whose strengths and weaknesses compliment your own.) Practice giving reports and taking messages whenever you can and take time to learn or develop common scout hand signs that you, your partner, and your unit can use quickly and easily.
Finally, talk with the fighters you typically scout for. Ask them to help teach you a little about troop movements and tactics so that what you see in the field makes some semblance of sense to you, thus making your reports that much clearer.
There are any number of competitions which are suitable for scouts. Any “hide-and-seek” or “capture-the-flag” type game can be modified for scout competitions. The whole purpose of these games should be to test the entrants’ knowledge, skill, and ability with regards to scouting, while providing them with a chance to sharpen themselves for a real battle.
Following are a couple of examples of games which could be used as scout competitions.
SALUTE Competition
A number of 5 x 7” cards marked with red or blue tape are hidden in the game-field. These cards contain information given in the SALUTE format. The entrants are required to find these cards and carry this information back to “Command post”. Scout killers wearing red or blue tape and partial armor (helmet and body or helm and leg) are stationed throughout the game-field (at least 10 meters from any SALUTE card). The scout or team bringing back the most and the most accurate information wins.
Information Relay
Similar to a hybrid relay race and parlour game. A relay route is established covering as much diverse terrain as possible. Several stations are set up along this route where the other members of the team wait with a referee.
At the starting point, the first team member is given a message, which he/she is to carry to the next relay station, and give it to his/her teammate, who then carries it to the next station. These messages must be verbal, and may not be written down.
Scout killers may be stationed along the route if desired. The game is scored for accuracy of the message, and for quickness of delivery.
Written Test
Covers the rules of the List, and other common sense points that all scouts should know.
Overview
This game is to be played by scouts at a large event. It involves elements of scouting that would occur during a live situation.
Objective
Each scout is given a list of items they need to locate. Each item is represented by a certain stamp.
The first scout to find everything on his/her list wins.
Rules
Examples
The Kingdom of Ealdormere
Scout’s Handbook
Section I | Section II | Section III | Section IV | Section V | Appendices
Personal Training | Games & Competitions | Hunters and Prey
Personal Training Tips Physical | Mental
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— or Some Stuff You Maybe Might Want To Think About...
n the East Kingdom Scout Handbook, there is a section specifically devoted to things you can do to train as a scout outside of the SCA itself. This includes things like physical training and exercise as well as mental preparation. Just as some fighters choose to have an exercise routine to enhance their fighting regimen, it's entirely possible that some scouts may wish to enhance their skills in a similar manner.
I
Scouting Games and Competitions
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(From the East Kingdom Scout Handbook)
Hunters and Prey
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(By Lady Fursto de Robny — Kingdom Scout Marshal, Kingdom of Ealdormere.)
) — you must find one of the Galbraith fighters who has accepted the role as an “active” fighter. Locate them using their heraldry or by recognition. Other fighters, if not active, would be considered to be off the field during a battle and, therefore, not relevant to the event.
)— you must find a marshal and get resurrected (stamp=
)
)— you must find three different war banners (or some other landmark representing the hidden banners in a woods battle) and get each item’s stamp.
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